Valve-lift spacer.



C. W. SMITH.

VALVE LIFT SPACER.

- APPLICATION FILED JULYzQ, 1910.

Patented May 14, 1912'.

.MY WY Uva 5%# WASHINGTON D CHARLES W. SMITH, OIE' ANNAPOLI ILLINOIS.

VALVE-LIFT SPACER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led July 29, 1910. Serial 1\T o. 574,534.

To @ZZ 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES W. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Annapolis, in the county of Crawford and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Valve-Lift Spacers, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of the present invention is the provision of means for properly spacing the lift of valves employed in connection with internal combustion engines, so that a proper mixture may be supplied to the engine and a firm seating of the valve assured, the invention being of special advantage in connection with engines of the explosive type not equipped with governor mechanism.

The invention while providing novel means for spacing the lift of the inlet valve so as to allow a predetermined amount of air and gas to be supplied for each explosion also serves to protect the valve stem from wear and to diminish the chances of its breaking as well as to insure a firm and square seating of the valve, thereby acting in the capacity of a governor.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of the application, Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the attachment on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a-plan view of the lock for securing the spring upon the valve lift adjuster in the located position. Fig. i is a horizontal section of the sleeve on the line -:r of Fig. 2.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates the cylinder of an engine of the explosive type and 2 the inlet chamber associated therewith.

The valve for controlling the inlet is indicated at 8 and i is the stem thereof having a portion threaded, as indicated at 5. A collar 6 is slipped upon the valve stem 4 and serves to protect the spring from the heat of the engine. The collar 6 has a reduced portion 7 which receives the upper end of the spring 8 by means of which the valve 3 is held upon its seat. A sleeve 9 is adjustable upon the valve stem 4 and receives the major portion of the spring 8. The lower end of the sleeve 9 has an angular portion 10 for the reception of a wrench or Spanner for turning the sleeve when it is required to adjust the same upon the valve stem 4. The sleeve 9 has a screwthread connection with the valve stem to admit of its adjustment to hold said sleeve in the located position. A portion only of the sleeve 9 is in ternally threaded to match the threaded portion of'the stem 4, the remaining portion being enlarged so as to loosely receive the valve stem. A jam nut 11 serves to secure the sleeve 9 upon the stem 4C in the required position, said jam nut making screwthread connection with the threaded end ofthe stein 4.

The force for unseating the valve 3 is applied to the stem 4 through the sleeve 9, hence adjustment of said sleeve 9 upon the stem 4 regulates the unseating of the valve 3, since the valve operating means has a uniform movement. The tension of the spring 8 may be regulated and this is eected by adjustable connection of the spring S with t-he sleeve 9. A lock device is adjustably mounted upon the sleeve 9 and supports the lower end of the spring 8. The sleeve 9 is externally threaded, as indicated at 13, and this thread is intersected by longitudinal grooves 14, which constitute locking means for securing the part 12 in the adjusted position. The screwthreads 13 are approximately of half round form in cross section so as to provide a firm seat for the lock device 12, which is constructed of spring wire, the latter being round in transverse section. The lock device 12 is formed at intervals in its circumference with crimps or loops 15 which possess a spring action and serve to contract the lock device about the sleeve 9 so as to hold the same against movement by frictional engagement and a clamping action.

The sleeve 9 is of uniform external diameter throughout its length and the lock device 12 is of circular form, the diameter being a trifle less than the diameter of the sleeve 9 so that when the lock device is in position upon the sleeve it grips the sleeve by a resilient clamping action, thereby preventing casual movement of the lock device when adjusted. The lock device, as stated, is formed of a length of spring wire bent into circular form, one end of the wire hav- Patented May 1a, 1912.

engage the terminal loop or crimp 15 tov interlock therewith and secure the extremities of the wire. This construction'admits of placing the lock device upon the sleeve 9 or removing said sleeve without the necessity of disconnecting the sleeve from the valve stem. The lock device when in position upon the sleeve 9 is seated in a portion of the screwthread 13 and upon turning said lock device the tension of the spring 8 may be regulated, as will be readily understood. The longitudinal grooves 1li act in conjunction with the parts of the lock de-Ak vice bordering upon the crimps or loops 15 to prevent turning of the lock device and thereby supplement the gripping action so as to effectually prevent accidental movement of the part 12 from the adjusted position.

The valve 3 is pressed upon its seat and held closed by the action of the spring 8 and when the engine is in operation the valve is unseated by the operating part coming in contact with the sleeve 9 or the am nut 11. By adjusting the sleeve 9 upon the valve stem l the distance through which the valve 3 moves when unseating may be regulated. By having the upper portion of the sleeve 9 spaced from the valve stem the overheating of the spring 8 is prevented. It is to be understood that the collar 6 may be dispensed with, but its use is preferred, since it serves to protect the spring 8 and prevent the drawing of the temper thereof.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims ap- 5 pended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. In valve mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of an inlet 5 controlling valve having a stem, a sleeve mounted upon said stem and having its eX- terior screwthreaded, a valve closing spring, and a lock device mounted upon said sleeve for sustaining the end thrust of the valve 6 closing spring, said lock device being of circular form and having crimps or loops at intervals in itsl circumference to provide both a sup-port for the valve yclosing spring, 5

and spring means for contracting the lock 6 device about the said sleeve.

12. In valve mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of an -inlet controlling valve having a stem, a sleeve mounted upon said stem and having its eX- 7 terior screwthreaded, and having longitudinal grooves intersecting the screwthreads, a valve closing spring, and a sprinO' lock device mounted upon the sleeve and formed of a wire bent into circular form and having a 7 loop at one end and an eye at the opposite end laterally deflected and adapted to interlock with the terminal loop to secure the ends of the wire when brought together, and

having loops or crimps to form both a sup- 8 port for the valve closing spring and spring means for contracting the lock device about the said sleeve. v

In testimony whereof I affix my signature Y in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES WV. SMITH.

Witnesses R. A. FRAZIER, F. R. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

